Police: 112 or 110

Fire Department: 112

Ambulance: 112

In contrast to universities in other countries, most German universities do not have a health center on campus. If you would like to see a doctor, you can look for doctors nearby at http://www.arztsuche-bw.de (German only). You can also search for a medical specialist on the website above.

In this search engine you can look for a doctor: Under “Arztgruppe” you can choose the type of doctor you are looking for, such as “Hausarzt” = Family doctor/General practitioner or “Facharzt” = medical specialist. Under “Ort” (= place) you can enter Mannheim.

Many doctors in Mannheim also speak English or other languages. In the search engine, you can search for doctors who only speak a specific language. Please click on “Zur erweiterten Suche“ (= extended search) and choose the preferred language under „Fremdsprache“ (= foreign language).

You can find further information on medical treatment in Germany here. This website provides general information on the process of treatment, health insurance system, reimbursement procedures, and other useful information.

If you need to see a doctor, it is best to go to a family doctor/general physician first. The family doctor can assess whether you need to be treated by a specialist. Should this be the case, s/he will refer you to a specialist.

In Germany, it is common to call at the doctor’s office and make an appointment. You can also go see a doctor during the office hours without an appointment, however, you might have to wait for several hours. If you are unable to leave your apartment because you are too sick, the doctor can make a house call and visit you at home after you scheduled an appointment.

Most doctor’s offices are open from Monday until Friday. Most doctor’s offices, however, are closed on Wednesday afternoon. Please make sure to bring your health insurance card with you if you purchased health insurance from a German company (for example: AOK, Barmer, DAK, or TK). If you have health insurance in another EU country, please bring you European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you.

If you need medicine, the doctor gives you a medical prescription. You can bring the prescription to any pharmacy, where you will receive the medication. Your German statutory health insurance company usually covers most of the costs, however, depending on the prescribed medication, you might have to pay a contribution at the pharmacy. You can also find more information under Pharmacies.

The following English-speaking doctors are located near the student dormitories:

Emergency doctor service (“ärztlicher Notdienst”): If you need a doctor outside of regular office hours, such as on a weekend, you can contact the emergency doctor service.

• Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1–3, 68167 Mannheim, Tel.: 0621/ 116 117
• M1, 3, 68161 Mannheim, Tel.: 0621/ 10998
   

Dental emergencies: For emergencies on weekends and on weekdays between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

• Collinistraße 11, 68161 Mannheim,
  Tel.: 0621/38000814, or 0621/38000813
   

University Medical Center Mannheim (“Universitätsklinikum Mannheim”):

• Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1–3, 68167 Mannheim,
  Tel.: 0621/383–0

Most pharmacies in Germany are open from Monday to Saturday. Outside business hours (for example on Sundays, public holidays or at night), there is also an emergency pharmacy service. You can search for an open emergency pharmacy under the following link (in German only). At the entrance of every pharmacy you will also find a list of pharmacies in your area that are open all night.

Although some medications can be bought over the counter (for example cold medicine), many other medications (such as strong pain relievers) are available only on prescription by a doctor. You can have your prescription filled at any pharmacy. Your German statutory health insurance company usually covers most of the costs. Depending on the medication you might have to pay a contribution at the pharmacy.

Most pharmacies sell make-up and body care products, too. However, you can usually find these products at more economic prices in a supermarket or drugstore. 

Psychological counseling

If you need psychological support, come to the “Psychologische Beratungsstelle” (PBS) which offers psychological counseling. The psychologists mainly apply methods of behavior therapy and conversational therapies. The services include:

• Initials interviews
• Diagnostic identification (also by means of psychological questionnaire)
• Crisis interventions
• Counseling and coaching (8 sessions)
• Short-term therapy (8 sessions)
• Support in finding outpatient therapy and other counseling facilities 

Intercultural Counseling Hours

If you have intercultural problems that affect your studies – like homesickness, language problems, cultural differences etc. – come to the Intercultural Counseling Hours for international students, which are offered by the PBS. We will talk about possibe solutions. The intercultural counseling hours are usually offered in several languages.

Contact

E-Mail: pbsmail-stw-ma.de
Phone: + 49 621 / 49072 – 555
Registration: Monday till Friday from 9.30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Psychosocial Counseling Service of the Department of Gender Equality and Social Diversity

The Department of Gender Equality and Social Diversity provides assistance concerning the following issues:

• Compatibility of family and work/studies
• Management responsibilities and management personality (work-life balance, family-friendly personnel management)
• Conflicts at work
• Individual crises/conflicts which effect your everyday work/studies

The Psychological Counselors are the contact persons concerning incidents of sexual harassment or violations against the directive on fair play/behavior, which is binding for all university members. All conversations and data will be treated confidentially.

The Counseling Service is open to all students, employees, and senior staff of the University of Mannheim.

Contact

Email: office.sgsvmail-uni-mannheim.de
Phone: 0621/ 181-2531
Address: B 6, 30–32 (EG) – Raum 012–020
68159 Mannheim

Special counseling for women and families

The International Women’s and Family Centre Heidelberg offers counselling in the following areas:

• Family planning, pregnancy, and pregnancy conflicts
• Health
• Partnership and family
• Social and family law, immigration and asylum law
• Reorientation in professional life

The intercultural counseling team consists of professionals in the fields of gynecology, psychotherapy, family therapy, education and social education. Counseling is offered in several languages for example in German, English, French, Spanish and Turkish. An interpreter service encompassing approx. twenty languages offers additional assistance for the counseling.

Contact
Email: infomail-ifz-heidelberg.de
Phone: 06221–182334
Address: Theaterstraße 16, 69117 Heidelberg
Telephone consultation: Monday to Wednesday, Friday 12 (noon) – 2 p.m. and Thursday 9 –10 a.m.

In principle, the university campus is a safe environment. Still, unpredictable events in public spaces can occur at any time without warning. The following pages provide you with general advice on safety as well as important contacts and telephone numbers. We also included tips for you to help you stay safe.

In Cases of Emergency

In cases of emergency please call the police immediately. Call: 110or 112.
For the fire department and/or ambulance/medical emergency call: 112.
Internal Emergency Call (Reception Area, Schloss Ost): 1110

Make sure to answer these five questions when you are placing an emergency call:

1. Who is calling?
2. What happened?
3. Where did it happen?
4. How many people are affected?
5. Wait for further inquiries!

Counseling

24-Hour Crisis Hotlines
Telefonseelsorge Rhein-Neckar e. V. (registered society)
Tel. 0800 111 0 111 and 0800 111 0 222 and 116 123 (service is free of charge)
www.telefonseelsorge-rhein-neckar.de (in German only)

Support Hotline: Violence Against Women
Tel. 08000 116 016 (service is free of charge)
http://www.hilfetelefon.de/en.html

If you are a victim of sexual harassment, bullying or stalking, feel threatened or are in a personal crisis our professional counselors can help:

If you feel any of the above apply to you, please do not hesitate to contact:

Contact persons for persons affected (researchers, students, non-academic staff):

Ute Pfründer, Dipl.-Psych
Psychosoziale Beraterin
Phone: +49 621 181–2529
E-Mail: ute.pfruendermail-uni-mannheim.de

Alexandra Raquet
Leiterin der Stabsstelle Gleichstellung und soziale Vielfalt
Telefon: +49 621 181–2526
E-Mail: alexandra.raquetmail-uni-mannheim.de

Male contact person concerning sexual harrassment (all member of the university):

Prof. Dr. Georg W. Alpers
Chair of Clinical and Biological Psychology and Psychotherapy
Telefon: +49 621 181–2106 (Secretary)
E-Mail: alpersmail-uni-mannheim.de

https://www.uni-mannheim.de/en/gender-equality-and-equal-opportunity/counseling/sexual-harassment/

Report an Offense to the Police

Reporting an offense is the first step towards solving a crime. The police must be informed about an offense in order to take action. This is the only way to prevent the offender from committing another crime. 

Police Headquarters Mannheim
L6, 1
68161 Mannheim
Tel.: + 49 621/1740

How Do I Protect Myself?

In order to prevent harassment or an assult you can take preventive measures. Self-defense classes increase your personal sense of safety in everyday life and can be crucial in the course of a violent assault. Your intervention – without putting yourself in danger (e. g. by calling the police 110) – can help to keep the campus safe. Your civil courage will protect your fellow university members and yourself.

Tips from the Police

- How to protect yourself against sexual violence (in German)

- How to protect yourself if you are being stalked (in German)

- How to protect yourself against theft (in German)

Report Technical Malfunctions and Safety Risks

Please report any technical malfunctions, for example broken lights on campus, to the front desk in the Schloss, main entrance of the university, (phone +49 621 181 1110) or to Division III of the University of Mannheim with this online form (in German).   

Please report unlit walkways, missing lights, and any places on campus where you do not feel comfortable to Division III of the University of Mannheim with this online form (in German).

In case you notice broken street lights outside of campus, please refer to the telephone service of MVV Energie, which is free of charge: 0800 290 1000

You can also find further information on the website of the University of Mannheim.

Overall Mannheim is a safe city in comparison to other big cities in Germany. However, this does not mean that crimes are not committed here. Also the university's campus is a safe environment but unpredictable events can occur like in any other public space.

In general, you should avoid taking unnecessary risks, such as walking through dark streets or woods on your own at night. Here are some useful tips in case you feel unsafe, for example on your way home during the night:

• Avoid underpasses and dark corners for example in parks
• Get together in groups and take a taxi instead of walking home alone at night
• Avoid headphones and loud music
• Carry a pocket alarm with you (for example as a key chain)
• Know the emergency numbers: For the police: 110; for fire brigade and ambulance: 112

The police in Germany is trustworthy and reliable. Policepersons are moving around town on foot, by bike, on motorcycles or by car. You can reach the police at any time via the free number 110 or 112.

More tips about safety can be found on the following website: study-in.de

In contrast to other countries, you might face a high fine for downloading movies, series, or music from the internet in Germany. If you take part in file-sharing sites, you are liable to prosecution and can be fined for this offence. Often you might face fines of €800 – €1200.

Precautionary measures: In a shared apartment, you could make a contract with your flatmates, in which you agree that every tenant is liable for any damage caused by her/him. Otherwise, the owner of the internet/phone connection could be prosecuted.

In case it already happened…

In case you already received a written warning asking you to pay a fine, you can contact the Social Counseling Service of the Studierendenwerk for help.

Social Counseling Service:
Ms. Doris Neubauer

Other options

In Germany there are a number of video on demand providers, where you can watch and download movies and series against payment of a fee, like e.g.:

Netflix

Maxdome

Amazon PrimeVideo

Many German TV stations also have media libraries, where you can legally watch and sometimes even download TV shows and documentaries for free. Some well-known media libraries are:

ARD Mediathek

ZDF Mediathek

ProSieben Video

RTL Now

Germany – the country of beers?! Although Germany is famous for its huge variety of beers and enjoys a long tradition in brewing it is ,nevertheless, recommendable not to consume too much alcohol.

In order to fully enjoy the German beer culture and to learn how to drink safely and responsibly, we have prepared a list of useful tips for you:

• Consider drinking as a special occasion and take your time

Bad reasons for drinking are:

• thirst quenching
• group pressure
• trying to numb sadness, homesickness or other negative feelings

Be aware: Many alcoholic drinks sold in bars can be deceptive! Shandy and alcopops often have a higher percentage of alcohol than its sweet taste indicate. It is, therefore, advisable to always have a look at the label information first to find out the actual amount of alcohol. It usually varies from 2.4% to 5% AbV.

You can find more information under: http://www.kenn-dein-limit.info/7-tipps.html  (in German only)

http://www.kenn-dein-limit.info/risiko-mixgetraenke.html  (in German only)

Smoking in bars, pubs, and restaurants is only permitted under certain conditions. This reduced the dangers of passive smoking.
The “Nichtraucherschutzgesetze” (“non-smokers protection laws”) of the federal states decide where smoking is permitted and where it is prohibited. If you offend the law you can face a fine of up to €40 in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Repeated offenders might have to pay up to €150.

You can find more information here (in German only).